Bootie - small butt plug by Fun Factory - review by Rawhide

I'll admit, I can't say or think about this plug's name without laughing unless I take it into pirate context.

The Fun Factory Bootie plug arrived in an appropriately sized box with a little plastic clamshell inside. The plastic doesn't stay closed on it's own and isn't practical for storage. It also has a little product booklet and a sample packet of Fun Factory's water-based Toy Fluid lube. First impression: wow, the insertable portion is really small, not just in terms of girth. Tiny all around. The plug's total length is only 3" (2.75" insertable). The 1" diameter refers to the bulb on the end. The neck's diameter is about half that. It's essentially the equivalent of having a thumb up your butt.

The shape is a far cry from the usual conical butt plug. There is a slightly curved bulb at the end, a thinner neck, and a narrow base that extends lengthwise in opposite directions to create the desired flare for safe anal play. The base also fits neatly between the cheeks and is super comfy and nearly undetectable under clothing. However, on some bodies it can extend far enough to block the vagnial entrance. It is rounded so there is no irritation, but it could potentially inhibit vagnial penetration while the plug is in use.

It's got a nice matte finish and a velvety texture. I was expecting regular firm silicone so I was pleasantly surprised by how flexible it really is. It is easy to bend and squish between your fingers. The bulb is slightly tapered to make things easier going in with a little water based lube (no silicone). It is extremely easy to insert and a great warm-up toy for this reason.

It's hard not to be aware of something that's up your butt, no matter how small, but this flexible plug rides very comfortably. It's just an ever present subtle sensation. It quickly warms to body temperature and bends with you as you move. This makes it the ideal plug for wearing comfortably throughout the day, even in public. It can certainly add some zing to an otherwise boring work day or long road trip. The matte finish of the silicone is grippier than glass or metal and it's never slipped out or gotten twisted around while walking or any other movement, though sometimes the neck does slide up and down just a bit. You probably wouldn't want to go jogging while wearing it, though wearing it during a bike ride would be really interesting.

This size makes it a great starter plug for beginners and those who just want a little something back there. People looking for that really filling sensation will want to look elsewhere. It's a great, light warm-up toy to have your partner wear during a night out. It's also an excellent piece to use with someone who is new to anal play and might otherwise be intimidated by larger or harder plugs on the market. No one could possibly look at this plug and think that it's going to hurt.

If I could redesign this plug, I would make one tip of the base a bit shorter than the other (to allow for simultaneous vaginal play) and offer more sizing options. The shape is so great that it's a real shame they don't make one that is a bit bigger. Even just a bit more length on the neck would be a great. The shape looks very promising for prostate stiumation (can't speak from experience on that one) but at this length it might fall short of reaching it.

For cleaning: silicone can be boiled, wiped with diluted bleach, or run through a soapless dishwasher cycle. It is small and light so it's easy to pack for travel (bag it or it will collect lint) and there is at least a chance that someone might mistake it for something other than a butt plug. You never know.

I have had some issues with this plug retaining smells, even after extensive cleaning (boiling, rubbing alcohol, etc). I've soaked and scrubbed, let it sit out to air dry, and eventually turned to google for a solution. I ended up finding something that worked: make a thick paste out of baking soda and water, spread it on the plug, and let it sit and dry for a couple hours. One application usually doesn't get the job done, but after a few the smell disappears. It works, but it's rather high maintenance. This is disappointing since silicone is billed as such a good material for anal. This experience has helped me understand part of why steel and glass plugs are so popular. I still think the flexibility of silicone has the edge on comfort, but the work it takes to get rid of the scent afterward makes me use this plug less frequently.

I haven't completely lost affection for this plug, but I don't use it very much due to the involved cleaning process to get rid of lingering odor. I still like how flexible and comfy it is, but it basically only comes out for partners who want to try butt play and are very nervous and wary of larger toys.